(Chelsea Update would like to thank Fran LeFort for the information in this story.)
Agnes and Stephen Reading have endowed an additional $1 million to double the size of the Reading Nursing Scholarship program for Washtenaw Community College (WCC) students.
Reading Scholarship recipients Raymond Apostoleris and Marcus Apostoleris, twin brothers from Chelsea, attended the announcement.
“This scholarship means a great deal to me because it lets me focus on my studies. The Reading family has given me the opportunity to achieve my dream with minimal stress and financial freedom. Thank you, Mr. Reading and Mrs. Reading,” Raymond Aposteleris said.
“The Readings are amazing people for giving us the chance to fully focus on nursing. I can’t thank them enough for this wonderful opportunity,” Marcus Apostoleris said.
The Reading Nursing Scholarship endowment now totals $2 million and provides 20 full-ride nursing scholarships each year for WCC students.
Scholarships are awarded primarily based on need to students planning to transfer to Eastern Michigan University (EMU) to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
In 2022, the couple established the Reading Scholars program with a $1 million endowment to cover tuition, books, uniforms, clinical fees and other costs for nursing students.
“We know firsthand the impact nurses have on their patients, and we know WCC trains the best. Because of WCC’s low tuition rates, our gift goes a long way and enables even more students to focus on their rigorous studies without having to worry about how they’re going to pay for school,” Stephen Reading said.
In addition to the $2 million endowment to fund scholarships in perpetuity, the Readings have given $100,000 – $50,000 each in 2022 and 2024 – to jumpstart students enrolling with the award.
WCC’s nursing program has earned the highest accolades, and graduates an average of 120 nurses each year.
Last summer, the National League for Nursing named the college a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education, the only community college and one of just nine nursing programs nationwide to earn the honor.
Since the Reading Scholar program was established, 33 WCC nursing students have been awarded the scholarship.
About Washtenaw Community College
Washtenaw Community College (WCC), Ann Arbor, Michigan, educates students through a wide range of associate and certificate programs in areas such as health care, business, STEM and advanced transportation and mobility. The college also works through community, business and union partnerships to develop highly specialized training programs to meet the region’s workforce talent needs.
